Author: admincomms@aldenham-pc.gov.uk

We are a homelessness charity that provides formerly homeless people (companions) with a safe home environment, and a range of training and progression opportunities. 

We have 4 Hertfordshire-based shops that sell quality upcycled and second-hand furniture, and a house clearance service.  Our St. Albans site can accommodate up to 36 people.

During their stay with us, companions can:

● Take as long as they need to get their lives back on track

● Build confidence and improve self-esteem

● Learn valuable work skills (such as retail sales, furniture restoration)

● Learn to support and mentor other companions

In return for volunteering for up to 40 hours a week, companions:

● Are allocated their own fully furnished room

● Receive food (3 meals per day)

● Receive a weekly volunteering allowance

● Are entitled to holiday leave (for which we pay a holiday allowance)

● Build up a leaving fund for when they are ready to move on from Emmaus

● Can access support about progression into employment

● Can access support regarding moving into alternative accommodation

● Are helped to access physical and mental wellbeing services

Referrals:

Referrals are assessed on a suitability basis. It is important that companions understand and respect Emmaus’s ethos, guidelines and expectations, as well as the role they play in its success.

It is not necessary to have a local connection.  We can accommodate people 18+ years of age who are homeless or who face imminent eviction, and who are NOT in employment.   

Our aim is to provide a safe environment for everyone, regardless of their culture, ethnicity, religion, race, gender or sexual orientation.      

There is no time limit as to how long a person can stay with us, subject to adherence to the rules and regulations of the community.

Please find attached a Referral Acceptability Checklist, to ascertain the suitability of potential companions.

Referrals can be made via our website:

www.emmaus.org.uk/st_albans

Should you require further information, please contact us on: 01727 817 294 (option 1 for support).

Or alternatively, we would love to welcome you for a visit!

Please see below this week’s shared information briefing. Each organisation’s social media channels are linked below. Please follow these as trusted sources of information. 

Hertfordshire Constabulary

Over the past week we have continued to see a reduction in the number of calls made to our control room linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

No hate crime offences have been recorded in the past seven days and two non-crime anti-Semitic hate incidents have been reported. This is almost in line with the levels seen pre-October 7, 2023. There have been no reports relating to Islamophobia.

However, our proactive patrols and community engagement continues, and we remain on hand to respond to any issues or concerns as needed. If you are worried about anything, become a victim of hate crime or witness any activity which you believe to be suspicious, please get in touch. We have specialist officers on hand who can provide advice and support.

X/Twitter: @HertsPolice Facebook @Herts Police

Community Security Trust

For the period 7 October to 14 November 2023, there have been 1,283 antisemitic incidents in the UK. Out of this, 41 have been in Hertfordshire.

This is still making the community feel vulnerable. We are grateful for the partnership we have with the police and I know the community appreciate their hard work.

CST_UK | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

Hertsmere Borough Council

Local Strategic Partnership
Hertsmere Together, our Local Strategic Partnership, met earlier this week. The partnership received an update on the ongoing community response to the current events in Israel and Gaza. It was agreed that all members of the partnership should also receive these updates. As such, the distribution list has now been widened to include partners from across our public, private, community and voluntary sectors.

Hertsmere Forum of Faiths
The Hertsmere Forum of Faiths also met this week. The meeting gave those in attendance an opportunity to come together to focus on their role as community and faith leaders. Councillors and officers were also in attendance and provided updates on the work on the ongoing community response to events in the Middle East.

Mental Health Services
The following services are available to residents of Hertsmere to support their mental health.    

• The TogetherAll, which is an online anonymous mental health community monitored by professionals. It offers a range of support, courses and advice. Hertfordshire residents over 16 can register for free – just select ‘my area is registered’ and enter your postcode.
• NHS Every Mind Matters – Get expert advice and practical tips, try the ‘How are you? quiz or create a tailored self-care plan to support your mental health and wellbeing
• The Five Ways to Wellbeing – feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life
• Jami – provides mental health support to the Jewish Community
• Herts Mind Network – provide services including peer support, group activities, counselling and a crisis helpline. Provided online, over the phone or from Number 10 on Leeming Road, Borehamwood.
• Hertfordshire County Council have produced a mental health resource booklet providing information about services available in the community. Should anyone wish to order physical copies of this, please contact services@hertsmere.gov.uk.
• The Church of England have pulled together a set of 13 reflections to support good mental health. www.churchofengland.org
• Young Minds have released some specific advice aimed at young people who are worried about the conflict in the Middle East: Mental Health Advice | The Conflict in the Middle East | YoungMinds

X/Twitter: HertsmereBC ; Facebook: Hertsmere ; Instagram: HertsmereBC ; LinkedIn  HertsmereBC

Please see below this week’s shared information briefing. Each organisation’s social media channels are linked below. Please follow these as trusted sources of information. 

Hertfordshire Constabulary

We continue to receive a handful of calls around incidents linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Over the past seven days in Hertsmere, five antisemitic crimes have been recorded – including one criminal damage, two public order offences, one malicious communications offence and a common assault without injury. One hate incident has also been reported.

We are investigating these offences expeditiously and support has been provided to victims.

We have received no reports around Islamophobia in the past seven days.

Our proactive patrols and community engagement continues, and we remain on hand to respond to any issues or concerns as needed. If you are worried about anything or witness activity which you believe to be suspicious, please get in touch.

X/Twitter: @HertsPolice Facebook @Herts Police

Community Security Trust

For the period 7 October to 7 November, there have been 1,124 antisemitic incidents in the UK. Out of this, 33 have been in Hertfordshire.  In the same period in 2022, there were 183 antisemitic incidents in the UK, of which 7 were in Hertfordshire. This represents an increase of 26 antisemitic incidents in Hertfordshire year on year.

This is still making the community feel vulnerable. We are grateful for the partnership we have with the Police and I know the community appreciate their hard work.

CST_UK | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree

Hertsmere Borough Council

Interfaith Week

As part of a wider set of events for Interfaith Week, the Hertfordshire Interfaith Forum are running an online ‘Peace through Understanding’ event on 15 November between 6.30pm and 8pm. The event will provide an opportunity to hear about the work done by Inter Faith Groups in Hertfordshire and how through understanding each other, we create the conditions for peace.   This is an online event held via Teams – please use this link to join.

Older Person’s Advice, Learning and Safety Event

Hertsmere Borough Council, in partnership with Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue were pleased to host an Older People’s Advice, Learning and Safety Event on 2 November at the Synagogue. The event was aimed at those over 60, to promote safety amongst older people in Borehamwood.

Representatives from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue, Hertfordshire Police, Trading Standards, Communities 1^st and many more joined Hertsmere Borough Council to speak at the event about the services and support available to older people. More than 45 people attended the event.

Mental Health Services

The following services are available to residents of Hertsmere to support their mental health.    

• The TogetherAll, an online anonymous mental health community monitored by professionals, offers a range of support, courses and advice. Hertfordshire residents over 16 can register for free – just select ‘my area is registered’ and enter your postcode.
• NHS Every Mind Matters – Get expert advice and practical tips, try the ‘How are you?; quiz or create a tailored self-care plan to support your mental health and wellbeing
• The Five Ways to Wellbeing – feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life
• Jami – provides mental health support to the Jewish Community
• Herts Mind Network – provide services including peer support, group activities, counselling and a crisis helpline. Provided online, over the phone or from Number 10 on Leeming Road, Borehamwood.
• Hertfordshire County Council have produced a mental health resource booklet providing information about services available in the community. Should anyone wish to order physical copies of this, please contact services@hertsmere.gov.uk.
• The Church of England have pulled together a set of 13 reflections to support good mental health.

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